New Security Checkpoint Pilot Program Planned for Maryland Transit Authority

PR Newswire On Apr 5, 2006

HANOVER, Md. - The Transportation Security
Administration (TSA), in partnership with the Maryland Transit Administration
(MTA), today announced a Mobile Security Checkpoint (MSC) pilot program to
screen MARC passengers and their bags for explosive material. Passenger
screening will be conducted at the Dorsey Road MARC commuter rail station,
April 4-28, 2006. Screening will occur every weekday for four weeks between 5
a.m. and 9 a.m.

The MSC program is designed to determine the operational feasibility,
effectiveness, and cost of commercially available screening technology
installed in a mobile container. The results from the pilot will be used to
determine in which environments this containerized checkpoint is suitable.

"TSA is committed to exploring innovative ways to enhance security in all
modes of transportation," said TSA Federal Security Director David Beecroft.
"We appreciate the strong partnership of MTA and the cooperation of MARC
passengers as we strive to stay ahead of the curve in protecting our nation's
rail systems."

"Governor Ehrlich has made it clear that Maryland's transportation systems
and the people who use them everyday are safer when we explore the latest
technology as part of our prevention efforts," said Governor's Office of
Homeland Security Director, Dennis R. Schrader.

Upon arriving at the station, every passenger will have his or her baggage
screened and will proceed through an Explosives Trace Portal (puffer) machine
and a metal detector. Passengers may be instructed to stand still in the
portal for a few seconds, during which time they will feel several puffs of
air. This pilot program is focused on searching for explosives; as a result,
unlike airport screening, passengers can retain cell phones, keys, change and
other small metal objects as they proceed through the screening process.
Passengers are encouraged to arrive at the station 5-10 minutes earlier than
usual to accommodate the screening. Special screening accommodations will be
made for persons with disabilities.

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) from TSA's National Screening
Force will perform screening for the pilot, and a MARC Customer Service
representative will be available during the screening process to address any
concerns passengers may have.

The technology used to screen passengers will be a Sentinel II Portal,
manufactured by Smiths Detection, and a CEIA-brand Metal Detector. A HI-SCAN
6046si (an X-ray explosives detector) and an Ionscan 400B (a trace explosives
detector currently used in airports), both manufactured by Smiths Detection,
will be used to screen baggage.

The Mobile Security Checkpoint pilot is funded by the Technical Support
Working Group, an interagency working group, with TSA funding to support
staffing and data analysis. For more information about TSA, please visit
http://www.tsa.gov.